2015-Take The Challenge

The time is finally here for you to celebrate 2015. And don’t forget that New Year’s Resolution. How many times have you said you’re going to set the goal for a healthy new you? This year take the healthy gum challenge instead. Set the goal that you are going to improve your oral health.

You can do this in multiple ways. First, brush twice a day. Brushing helps remove plaque and bacteria from the surface of the teeth. It keeps your pearly whites, white and keeps your enamel strong and in top shape.

Agree to floss once a day.  Find the type of floss that feels right, tastes good and is going to motivate you to keep flossing. If this is a new practice for you, set an alarm to remind you and remember it takes twenty-one days to make a habit routine.   Flossing is critical to oral health because it removes plaque below the gum line and doesn’t allow food to stick and stay between the teeth.

Visit your dentist routinely at the recommended intervals that are specific to you. While you may think that visiting the dentist twice a year is sufficient, it may not be enough to keep your smile at its peek. Your dentist can also complete an oral exam that will help catch any abnormalities early on.

Increase the greens you eat. “Green vegetables,” according to Periodontist Dr. Denine Rice, “not only improve your overall health but they also improve the health of your smile because they have water in them that helps wash away bacteria from your teeth.

Time To Focus On Your Smile First

Staring in the mirror you notice stains on your teeth, they bleed when you floss and your general dentist has been telling you for months to go and visit the periodontist. Well, now is the time. The New Year is starting and while you are contemplating your New Year’s resolution this one should be at the top of your list.  It is easy for you to say you’re going to lose weight, eat healthier, or spend more time with friends, however, without a healthy smile these other resolutions may be difficult to achieve.

"The healthier your smile and teeth are, the more you can eat the healthy food you need in order to shed unwanted pounds," suggests Dr. Rice. Your smile is what is going to radiate while you meet new people for the promotion you want, or the social engagements you plan to accept this year.  The more you smile the more endorphins are released and the happier you are. The happier you are the more you are motivated to achieve the goals you set.

More New Year’s resolutions are centered on weight than any other goal. However, being healthy does nothing for you unless you have a healthy smile to match it.  Periodontal disease can actually make it more difficult for you to reach that goal because the bacteria gets in your blood stream and can affect your heart, lungs, not to mention your overall mood.

This year Dr. DenineRice, suggests, “Focus on your smile first!”

     

Take Care Of Your Gums This Holiday Season

While you have spent months trying to get your mouth back in order, don’t let it fall apart now that the holidays are here. Dr. Rice states, “Hundreds of patients undo months of periodontal treatment over the holiday season by going back into bad habits.” While traveling over the holidays thousands of people forget their toothbrushes and floss. Many also travel without mouthwash?

Here are some tips to helping you travel and keep your gums happy.  

·      Travel with a brand new toothbrush. PeriodontistDr. Denine Rice recommends you grab a new toothbrush every six months. This is the perfect opportunity to do this. Make sure to find a toothbrush that has soft bristles and has the grip you feel comfortable with.

·      Brush and floss in the morning as soon as you wake up.  While many have schedule changes during the holidays - we have a tendency to stay up late and wake up early - brushing first thing in the morning will ensure you take care of this before the day gets hectic.

·      Bring a small throw-away bottle of mouthwash.  No one can travel with liquid over a certain weight anyway, so, if you’re not checking your bag purchasing a few small bottles of mouth wash can keep you focused on using it, and then throwing away the bottle so you travel home with a few less items.

Enjoy this holiday season with fresher breath and a fantastic holiday smile.

Alternative Cigarettes Are Not A Safer Alternative

In recent years alternative cigarette choices have hit the shelves of convenient and grocery stores.  While they claim to be healthier and are less of a risk to your body, they are in fact not healthier. And many of them are worse than smoking regular cigarettes because they are riddled with alternative herbs, tar and carbon monoxide.

Alternative cigarettes maybe rolled with cloves, tendu leaves and/or other ingredients. Therefore, these alternative cigarettes may be providing you with ingredients you are not even sure about. "It’s important to know what you’re ingesting," suggests Periodontist Dr. Denine Rice top rated dentists in the Inland Empire.

Research suggests that smokers who smoke alternative cigarettes actually are inhaling more nicotine and tar than regular cigarettes, which means these alternatives are even more dangerous for an individual. And what does all of that nicotine and tar due to your teeth and gums?

"Tar and nicotine increase your overall risk of periodontal disease, decay, cavities and, unfortunately, increase your risk of mouth, tongue, or lung cancer," suggests Dr. Rice. If you notice white lesions in your mouth Dr. Denine Rice can biopsy the lesions in order to determine if further treatment is needed.  Some companies are suggesting that you pick their alternative brand in order to, “smoke smarter.” There is no smarter, there are only negatives attached to this choice.

Calcium May Protect Against The Negatives Of Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease destroys the enamel as the disease runs rampant through your mouth. As decay goes below the gum line and attacks the enamel, the teeth become weaker, and the disease progresses even further. Research suggests that individuals that consume a higher rate of calcium along with brushing, flossing, and visiting the periodontist for periodontal treatment, may be able to combat some of the negative effects of periodontal disease.

Dr. Denine Rice informs patients that, "Calcium helps to strengthen bones in the body and helps to repair damage in individuals with osteoporosis." So, it would only make sense that individuals that have periodontal disease and consume calcium would find it helps strengthen the bones of the jaw and prevent injury of it. However, there are numerous other factors with periodontal disease and calcium alone can’t fix periodontal disease.

Periodontist Denine Rice understands all to well how important it is for individuals to consume a diet high in calcium and low in sugars to create a lasting smile they can be proud of.   She sees hundreds of patients where dental health has been negatively impacted in large part due to consuming high sugar foods.  She recommends increasing your amount of yogurt, cheese, fortified orange juice and green vegetables – all of which are higher in calcium.

Low calcium intake isn’t the only risk factor for periodontal disease. Other factors include genetics, how often you brush and floss, what types of foods you consume and how often you visit the dentist for check-ups.

Take Time For Your Smile

Don’t underestimate the power of your smile. While you are rushing around the house to get ready for that date, or for your big interview, don’t forget to stop to brush and floss your teeth. We abuse our gums and our teeth by eating over processed foods, loading our coffee with too much sugar and not flossing. However, this powerful body part is responsible for releasing endorphins that help keep us healthy.

The more you smile, the more endorphins are released and the happier you feel. However, it needs to be a true smile with a full mouth of teeth showing. If your mouth is riddled with decay and you’re not fully confident you could be robbing yourself of the healthy happy life you deserve, and at the same time, impacting your overall health.

It can be easy to over look your teeth when you are looking for the perfect high heels to match that blue dress. Periodontist Dr. Denine Rice suggests, "individuals neglect their teeth more than any other body part."  “You take a shower once or twice a day to protect your skin, and refresh your smell but then fail to follow through with flossing or brushing your teeth.

Dr. Rice also hears numerous excuses from patients about proper brushing and flossing, everything from not enough time, to patients that don’t have proper hand dexterity to floss correctly.  That is why it is important to find the right toothbrush and floss that fits your needs.

No need to neglect your smile before that date, now you truly can find any product you might want to create a healthy, white smile that exceeds your expectations..

                

                

What Is Ridge Modification Surgery

  

Periodontal disease can leave you with a smile that is embarrassing and causes you to look older than you are. Fortunately modern dental technology gives you more solutions to fix your smile. "Depending on the severity of your periodontal disease and the amount of bone and tooth loss, it may be recommended that you have a ridge modification procedure completed in order to rebuild your upper or lower jaw," says Dr. Rice.

If this procedure is not completed it can  cause you to look older than you are, and you may also have an indentation in the jaw line near the teeth where you are missing bone. If you already have a difficult time brushing and flossing, this space can create an even more difficult time for you.

Dr. Denine Rice, will complete an oral exam first in order to determine the severity of the situation. Once this has been completed, at your next appointment, the gum will be lifted away from the ridge. This allows Dr. Rice to see the deformity in the bone.   The area is then filled with bone. There are different types of bone grafts that may be used based on your needs and the damage that has been done.

Once the incision is done and the new bone is placed in the correct spot, the incision will be closed up.  Healing will begin quickly, but this procedure does require proper follow-up appointments.

Five Things To Ask Your Periodontist On Your Visit

It can be scary if you have never been referred to a periodontist before. You may not know what to expect and it can seem very overwhelming. So, what should you know before you’re in the chair and a periodontal exam is being completed?

1. Ask how severe your periodontal disease is:

You may think you’re only going to visit once or twice and then you’ll be back on your way to a healthy smile. However, depending on the severity of your periodontal disease, it may take longer to heal your mouth. You may also need more advanced treatments in order to get your smile back to the health you desire.

2. Know approximately how many visits they are recommending:

It is unlikely you have been referred to a periodontist if you only have minor periodontal disease. But you’ll want to know how many visits your periodontist is recommending in order for you to plan ahead financially. 

You’ll also want to be able to make a plan for taking off of work or planning around your busy schedule. Periodontal disease cannot be healed unless you complete all of your treatments and it’s important to do so in the recommended time period as well.

3. Ask what type of technology or procedure they are recommending. There have been several advancements in technology today that can help increase the comfort and healing of your gums. For example, Dr. Rice and

 her team use DentalVibe. It is a technology that assists in numbing the area to be treated by using short vibrating impulses. This allows for a less painful injection. Her team also uses LANAP laser surgery for removing plaque and tartar from the gums. These treatments make a huge difference on the length of healing time and your overall results.

4. Ask about after care instructions:

It is also important to plan ahead for eating and drinking after a periodontal procedure. Periodontal treatment takes time and is a commitment. You don’t want to undo the effects of the procedure by consuming food and drinks right after the procedure that can prevent healing. While your periodontist should cover all of this with you before you leave the office, make sure you have all after care instructions.

5. Know how much it is going to cost:

Your dental insurance may cover some of the cost or none of the cost of your procedure. “Dental insurance is there to help you,” says Dr. Denine Rice,  “but keep in mind most people have no dental insurance benefits at all.” Also ask questions regarding what options are available to help you with your out of pocket portion. Some periodontists have financial plans they can recommend to help you.

Then relax. Your periodontist is there to help restore you to health.

Cookies, Pies and My Teeth, Oh My!

The health of our smile is built on more than just our brushing and flossing habits. We can visit the dentist 

every six months, brush two times and day and floss once a day, however, if you’re consuming large amounts of sugar, carbohydrates and fats you are continuing to do unnecessary damage to your smile. While it may not 

seem important, it is more than just the risk of obesity that you should consider when reaching for the Frito's instead of the celery.

Fruits and vegetables are low in sugar and high in water which helps clean off your teeth. They produce higher levels of saliva and allow for food to be rinsed from the surface of your enamel, while breads, pasta and chips decrease your overall saliva production and increase your risk of periodontal disease, especially if you do not plan to brush and floss right after you consume the five-layer bean dip or the spaghetti and meatballs. 

Periodontist Dr. Denine Rice at Rice Periodontics & Implant Surgery says, “I see thousands of patients a year that have developed severe periodontal disease not only from their overall dental habits but because of their daily negative food habits as well.”  Her responsibility is to educate patients on the importance of taking care of their whole body, not just their gums.  “While you may increase your healthy dental habits, if you do not change your food habits too, you may wind up right back where you started, in the dental chair with periodontal disease,” adds Dr.Rice.